Autocar took a two day spin in BMW Sport Line F30 320d and 328i models during BMW's press test drive days and came away calling the F30 still just a good-looking saloon that drives rather beautifully at heart. Why? Read on...

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The first thing you become aware of when driving either car is that there’s an incredible lack of inertia when on the move. The new 3-series feels quite amazingly light on its feet, the 328i especially, and to begin with this can make it seem ever so slightly insubstantial as a result.

The steering of the 328i is so light and fingertip easy, the accelerator so delicate underfoot, the gearbox so smooth in its machinations, you almost feel like a passenger in the car as it wafts gracefully from one destination to the next. The four cylinder engine purrs gently in its low to mid ranges, providing more thrust that you thought possible from such a small petrol engine when installed in a car as big, relatively speaking, as this.

Select Sport and it instantly feels even more alive, not just beneath your backside and feet but at the tips of your fingers as well. And if you’re feeling truly in the mood there’s a Sport+ setting available in this model as well, which brings yet crisper responses from the steering, gearbox and throttle, and turns the traction control to a fruitier setting for good measure.

It sounds an awful lot more complex and, no doubt, rather less intuitive than might be deemed desirable in a car that was once praised for its purity of purpose – but in practice it’s nothing of the sort. After half an hour, most drivers will be well used to what does what; and after half a day they’ll be amazed by the ability to fine tune the car into whatever mood, or whatever road, they mind find themselves on.

Oh yes, except the 320d will do 64mpg on the combined cycle and has a range of over 800 miles. If Superman drove a car, in fact, he’d probably drive a new BMW 320d. And the rest of us would be more than happy with any other member of the range. Because be in no doubt, a new world leader has arrived – and it may take a while for the others to catch up.

Good god, we really haven't come to expect much from BMW anymore, have we?

BMW, as with the 5 series. If we need a Audi, we'll just buy one. It's time to grow a pair and start building real cars again. This further dumbing down of the Marque is boring at best and to me just sickening.

"The steering of the 328i is so light and fingertip easy . . . you almost feel like a passenger in the car as it wafts gracefully from one destination to the next."

That sounds absolutely horrifying. If I wanted light steering, or to feel like a passenger instead of a driver, I'd buy a Lexus. BMW initially made this same mistep with the E46, making the steering too light (the ultmate parking machine), before hostile cutomer feedback resulted in elimination of the "new steering."

"The steering of the 328i is so light and fingertip easy . . . you almost feel like a passenger in the car as it wafts gracefully from one destination to the next."

That sounds absolutely horrifying. If I wanted light steering, or to feel like a passenger instead of a driver, I'd buy a Lexus. BMW initially made this same mistep with the E46, making the steering too light (the ultmate parking machine), before hostile cutomer feedback resulted in elimination of the "new steering."

They are using the optional variable steering bullshit...there is no question the basic steering will have more of an electrical assisted feel, but i doubt we lose much overall feel. I think the optional steering these reviews are using could be complete garbage. Every reviewer has the same car lol

"The steering of the 328i is so light and fingertip easy . . . you almost feel like a passenger in the car as it wafts gracefully from one destination to the next."

That sounds absolutely horrifying. If I wanted light steering, or to feel like a passenger instead of a driver, I'd buy a Lexus. BMW initially made this same mistep with the E46, making the steering too light (the ultmate parking machine), before hostile cutomer feedback resulted in elimination of the "new steering."

You honestly expected any different? Just look at what BMW has done with F10's steering (except the M5 model) - they really want some of the Lexus and Mercedes' customers to switch to BMW, and you can't really do that with the traditional "stiff" steering which is not really friendly towards geriatric/feminine/overweight hands Not to mention electric power steering will give another "+1" in the eyes of EPA which wants to FORCE everyone to "save their $$$ on gasoline."

That sounds absolutely horrifying. If I wanted light steering, or to feel like a passenger instead of a driver, I'd buy a Lexus. BMW initially made this same mistep with the E46, making the steering too light (the ultmate parking machine), before hostile cutomer feedback resulted in elimination of the "new steering."

I agree. If I wanted a comfortable car with good features that lacks feeling, I'd go buy a Mercedes or a Lexus if I really wanted to save money. We can't make any conclusions unless we all have test driven one but if you're just reading the initial reviews, you get the feeling that the 3-Series just doesn't have that one feature that makes you decide: "BMW for sure".

Right now, BMW might have some bells and whistles that Mercedes and Audi might not have but what happens when Mercedes comes out with the next generation C-Class? I don't want to continue beating down the topic of steering/handling but it's hard to ignore - it was that one advantage that BMW had over it's competitors. Only thing to do now is wait for a test drive to see how much was taken away.

I agree. If I wanted a comfortable car with good features that lacks feeling, I'd go buy a Mercedes or a Lexus if I really wanted to save money. We can't make any conclusions unless we all have test driven one but if you're just reading the initial reviews, you get the feeling that the 3-Series just doesn't have that one feature that makes you decide: "BMW for sure".

Right now, BMW might have some bells and whistles that Mercedes and Audi might not have but what happens when Mercedes comes out with the next generation C-Class? I don't want to continue beating down the topic of steering/handling but it's hard to ignore - it was that one advantage that BMW had over it's competitors. Only thing to do now is wait for a test drive to see how much was taken away.

BMW is trying to be like Mercedes unfortunately. Their comfort and luxury is getting over the feel and sportiness. What sucks is, they already created these Sport Line, Modern Line etc.. Why not make one of them as comfy as a Merc, and the other a true "Driving Machine"? Hard to understand.